What is Spurling's test?

Spurling test is a diagnostic technique that can identify the presence of compressed nerve in the throat. This includes the movement of the patient's head and neck in a special way to assess any pain that subsequently occurs. Neck and arms pain are a positive symptom of nerve compression in the test. Possible causes of nerve compression include vertebral damage, slipped disk or muscle cramps.

sore throat or arm can be a sign of nerve compression in the uterine vertebrae of the spine. Cervical vertebrae are those in the neck area and include the first seven vertebral bones, from the skull to the eighth vertebra, which attaches to the upper ribs. The nerves that pass through the cervical vertebrae are those that give the upper body, such as the neck and arms, with a feeling.

For Spurling test, the patient normally fits or lie. Then the doctor extends the neck vertically and turns his head towards the side of the pacifier. After the head turns, the medical professional places pressure on the head down and slowly increases the pressure, dockUD patient does not show a symptom such as pain, when the test should be stopped. Other signs to stop the test include other nerve symptoms such as dullness or armor. If cervical nerves are involved, these feelings tend to be in the throat and arms.

If a pain that is the same as the pain that was previously felt by the patient is caused during the Spurling test, the nerve compression is given. Various health problems can cause compression, and this includes muscle cramps, broken vertebral bones and discs that act as pillows between individual bones. Sometimes, however, the Spurling test results in a false positive if the patient actually suffers from muscle stress or ties that do not compress nerves.

This type of test brings the risk of serious damage to the patient as the movement of the spine, if injured, may be dangerous and may actually lead to paralyzingting. This risk increases if the professional performs a test, does not give up special care to cause any pain as possible, which is a sign of injury. For this reason, the test should not be carried out by an untrained person and possible spine injuries should be examined by a doctor.